Why You Need a Church
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Why do you need a church?
Many people ask this question. Often, the argument is if I have Jesus, then why do I need a church? It seems to make sense, as one who has Jesus really has it all.
However, what is ignored is that Jesus Himself made it clear that being a part of a community is very important. Several passages in the Bible explain the importance of gathering as a body of Believers and this should spur us to commit ourselves to wanting to gather at your church.
What Is a Church?
This is an interesting question, because there are really two answers. THE Church is the overall body of believers in Jesus Christ. Whether you are gathering with fellow Christians at Veritas, FaithLife, Good News, or any other church in the Cedar Rapids, you are part of THE Church. The Church also includes believers in Texas, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. It also includes believers in Brazil, South Africa, China, and Russia. The entire group of Jesus followers are all part of The Church.
This idea is pointed out in Galatians 3:26-28, where Paul writes, “26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Your race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, size, or any other trait do not matter if you are a Christian – we are all a part of the same Church.
You also go to a church… a local body of believers who gather at a building to worship and learn about God together. Some churches become divisive in their rhetoric, making it seem like theirs in the only way to God. However, these believers make up just one church or a group of churches. They are a part of The Church, but not the whole Church.
You Need to Belong!
Whether talking about The Church or a local body of believers, it is important that every Christian be connected to a church. There are several benefits for you being a part of a church, but there are also benefits for your church in you being there as well.
It’s Where You Get Help
If you are around Christians long enough, you are likely going to hear something like this: “I don’t go to church because all the people there are hypocrites.” That person is right. The church is made up of broken people. The person who makes this statement is broken too, and he or she needs the support of his or her church as well.
In your local church, you should find support during your struggles. You should find help when you need it, and you should be loved. The church is there to strengthen each person there. It may not always seem to be the case, but that is the reason. The truth is that if you are not getting support and love, maybe you are at the wrong church.
The New Testament makes it clear that were not made to worship and honor God on our own. Jesus chose 12 disciples who supported Him and one another. When He sent the disciples out to minister, it was always in groups of two. In this way, they could support and edify one another. Your church is important in helping you to grow through tough times, even helping you when you are in challenging times.
Do you feel like your local church is there to help you through your struggles?
Encouragement and Fellowship
The members of a church not only help you during your struggles, but encourage you and provide friends. Most of our friends are people who have similar interests and what could honestly draw people closer to one another than a mutual love for God? That is a great place to build a friendship.
However, fellowship does not necessarily mean that you will be BFFs. It could simply mean you have some men or women to talk to and share some common interests. You could encourage each other during hard times and share in the joy of successes. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us that we should exhort and edify one another. Your church gives you a group of people who want to see you succeed.
Are there people at your local church that you talk with each week?
If not, why not?
You Need to Learn
It does not matter how many times you have read the Bible or how long you have been to college, you do not know everything about the Bible. There is a lot to know and most of us only have a very small fraction of the complete knowledge of the Bible. That is just the truth.
In addition, you may know lots about the Bible, maybe even memorized the entire book. That does not mean that you understand it all, nor does it mean that you know how to apply it all. Your local church is a great place to be better educated. This can occur during Sunday service or during Bible study. It can also occur during your fellowship time.
Your church also helps to correct some misunderstandings or wrong beliefs you have about the Bible. Setting aside your ego for a moment, it is important to realize that you may have learned something or made a conclusion that is not correct. Going to your local church and discussing this with others helps correct errors in thinking that you may have.
Do you think that there are areas where you need to grow in your understanding of the Bible? If so, where can your local church help you?
You Are Needed!
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is discussing spiritual gifts. He explains that each one of us is like a part of a body. Altogether, The Church makes up the Body of Christ.
What this is teaching us is that each one of us plays a role in the success of the church, like each cell plays a role in your body. When one person is missing or not doing their part, then the whole body suffers. In other words, each one of us is needed.
In the last section, we discussed your need to grow in your understanding of the Bible. We also discussed that you may need some correction on wrong ideas. This is true of others in your church as well, and you may be the person who brings that correction, word of encouragement, or insight. You have gifts that God has given you that benefit your church and it is important that you are there to share them.
You may be wondering how you can benefit your local church. So, how can you do so?
There are lots of ways, including volunteering to greet people, helping with meals, or praying for others, but you can do more than this. Maybe you have a skill that helps your church by repairing something that is broken. Maybe you can help with technical issues or photographs. You have gifts that could benefit your church, and they need you to use them there.
Can you think of other ways to help your church?
If you are interested, follow this link to learn what your spiritual gifts are: https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/gifts-survey/?type=group&id=902331.
Act Obediently to God
The author of Hebrews 10:24-25 writes: “24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
We need to stir up each other to do good works and we are commanded to love one another. This can only be accomplished when all of us are there, so we should not “neglect to meet together.” God is telling each one of us to get out of bed, go to church, and draw closer to each other like a body of believers should.
Your success depends on your local church. Understand that your local church’s success (including for its members) also depends upon you being there. So, let’s go to church and get better connected.
Do you find it difficult to get up to go to church each Sunday?
What are the barriers that stop you from going?
Do you believe that your gifts will help to benefit your church?
Jesus Is There!!
Jesus told His disciples that when two or more people gathered in His Name, that He was there (Matthew 18:20). You want to know the most important reason of all for going to church? Because a whole lot of people are gathered there in Jesus’ Name, so He is there as well.
Church gives you the opportunity to encounter God on a personal level every week. The Holy Spirit is moving in that service, and amazing things are happening. God is there with your fellow brothers and sisters.
It is easy to think of church as that boring place you go every Sunday but, if you are entering with that attitude, then that is what you are going to take home. Time with God should be exciting as should time with your brothers and sisters. God is at your church, and He is waiting for you. So, why aren’t you there?
I Don’t Feel Connected
You may be reading all these points and thinking to yourself, “I don’t have those connections. My church does not edify me. I don’t get encouragement. I don’t even think I am welcome!
That may be true for you but, if it is, ask yourself what part you are playing in that. Ask yourself, what are you doing to get connected with your church?
Do you simply go to church each week, sneak in five minutes after it started and then leave before it is over? Do you avoid shaking anyone’s hand or avoid getting to know anyone’s name. If you don’t try to connect with anyone at the church, then guess what will happen? If you said that you will not be connected, then you are right.
The church should reach out to you, helping you to feel that you are welcome. You also have to play your part. You need to reach out to others, greet them, and get connected. You need to be a part of your church.
What is your experience at church like each week?
Why do you think this is your experience?
Here is a trustworthy saying for you – You need your church and your church needs you. That is just the fact of the matter. You need to get involved so that your church can help you grow and you can help all the members of your church in their discipleship.
Are you involved at your church?
What can you do to connect yourself to your church even more?
What are obstacles you may face in becoming better connected? How can you overcome them?
Bible Passages for the Week:
Monday – Matthew 18:20
Tuesday – Hebrews 10:24-25
Wednesday – Ephesians 4:11-13
Thursday – Acts 2:42
Friday – Acts 9:31-32
Saturday – Pick a passage from Scripture that teaches you about the importance of going to church and getting connected in your community.
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© 2024 Dr. Robert Pannier, Hope CDA, All Rights Reserved
